Bamford, 21, joined Forest as an eight-year-old, coming up through the club's ranks before departing for Chelsea in 2012 having made just two first-team appearances for the club.

According to the BBC, Chelsea forked out around £1.5m to land Bamford over three years ago, which was seen as a huge amount of money for an 18-year-old with virtually no experience.

It was frustrating for Forest to lose such a promising player, and many reacted angrily both at the club and at Bamford himself.

Many believed that Bamford was only heading to Chelsea for the money, with the Blues often paying big wages to players in recent years.

Some will feel that they have been proven right given that Bamford has yet to make his first-team debut for Chelsea, and after loan spells with MK Dons and Derby County, Bamford is again out on loan this season at Middlesbrough.

With 19 goals to his name this season, Bamford has been a key part of the Middlesbrough side as they chase promotion to the Premier League, and his exploits were rewarded on Sunday as he won the Championship Player of the Year award.

Speaking to Sky Sports after winning the accolade, Bamford moved to explain why he left Forest in 2012 - saying that the suggestions about money weren't true.

"After I made the move from Forest, a lot of people said I went for the wrong reasons, which wasn't true at the time," said Bamford. "I went there because I wanted to play for a top team like Chelsea, and hopefully I do get that chance."

Olly Dawes

Olly is a Sports Management graduate and aspiring journalist, with most of his work surrounding football or NFL. He has formed two of his own sites, as well as contributing to a number of others before starting with Here Is The City.